Partial building collapse in Paris suburb kills 2

By the Associated Press | August 31, 2014 | 10:05 AM EDT

A French fireman and his dog search in the rubble of a building after an explosion collapsed it, in Rosny-sous-Bois, outside Paris, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014. French authorities say a four-story building in a northeastern Paris suburb has collapsed after an explosion, killing a child. More people are thought to underneath the rubble. Speaking on i-Tele, fire department spokesman Gabriel Plus said around 10 people were evacuated from the building in Rosny-sous-bois that occurred early Sunday morning. Plus said that around another 10 people could still be underneath the rubble, and emergency teams were working hard to rescue people who might be trapped. "We could still find living victims in the hours to come," he said. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve has arrived at the scene, but couldn't confirm a theory that the explosion was caused by a gas leak. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

PARIS (AP) — A four-story apartment building in a northeastern Paris suburb partially collapsed after an explosion Sunday, killing a child and an elderly person, authorities said. Six more people were thought to be underneath the rubble.

Speaking on i-Tele, fire department spokesman Gabriel Plus said around 10 people were rescued from the disaster in Rosny-sous-Bois. Plus said emergency teams were working hard to locate people that may be still alive, using sniffer dogs in the search.

"We could still find living victims in the hours to come," he said.

Philippe Galli, Seine-Saint-Denis prefect, said the explosion was "most probably" the result of a gas leak.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve arrived at the scene and pledged his support to the families and victims. He said the 22 people from the remaining two thirds of the building have been given alternative lodging, since the entire structure is perilous.

Speaking from La Rochelle Sunday at a socialist party conference, Prime Minister Manuel Valls began his speech by sending out a "message of solidarity" to the victims.